Looking eastward from a small village in France (Grosbliederstroff) you’ll find the old village town of Kleinblittersdorf. Yes, it does sound like a mouthful.
What it really is, is a charming town of seven neighborhoods along the religious St. James’ Way. It also offers the devout a chance to truly have a realistic medieval traveler’s journey on their way to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. Pious travelers can stop at one of the chapels, like the Wendalinuskappelle and the Kuchlinger Kapelle.
The most beautiful along the way is the Wintringer Kapelle. Now in ruins, this medieval abbey has a wonderful Summer Solstice Celebration, yet anytime of the year is great to visit.
Pilgrims in Kleinblittersdorf are offered many services, including lodging and supplies that were offered many centuries back. Here’s where you can eat from a medieval menu, drink wines from the day, and even have your pilgrim “passport” stamped at the various churches. The stamps were a kind of medieval “proof” of a pilgrim’s journey.
Of course, St. James’ Way isn’t the only thing that Kleinblitterdorf has to offer. The Old Church, from the 18th century, is now a Youth Center, and still beautiful after all these years. So is the church of St. Agatha and the historic City Hall of Kleinblittersdorf Proper. From here you can cross into France along the Freundschaftsbrücke (Friendship Bridge) that was built in 1933.
If you get hungry, there are plenty of treats to be found at the old Backhaus, or Bake House. The bakery makes a “flaming cake” on special order and depending on your sweet tooth just might be worth looking into.
This area of the Saarland, besides being historically rich, has some wonderful countryside. The village of Sitterswald, which is heavily forested, has great biking and walking trails. Kleinblittersdorf is also famous for its Mineral Water which was started by some long ago countess, so make sure you take some with you out in the woods.
Kleinblittersdorf is only 15 minutes from the city of Saarbrücken and maintains a real “Old World” feel. You’ll like it here — so come have some wine, eat, and maybe have a piece or two of that flaming cake.
